Process of producing mixtures of nitrogen and hydrogen



BIRGER FJELD HALVORSEJS', OF CHRTSTIANI A, NORWAY, AESTGNOE TO NOBSKHYDRO- ELEKTBISK KVAELSTOFAKTIESELSKAB, OF CHRISTLANIA, NORWAY.

PBOCESSOF PRODUCING MIXTURE-'3 OF NITROGEN AND HYDROGEN.

Ho Drawing.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Bmenx F ELn HAL- vonsEN, a sub'ect of the King ofNorway, residing at C ristiania, Norway, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Processes of Producing Mixtures of Nitrogen andHydrogen; and I do hereby declare the following to he a full, clear, andexact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. H k

This invention relates to the production of mixtures of nitrogen andhydrogen and has for its object a process for the production of such gasmixtures fromairand water by the use of sulphides as reducing agents. t

'- The sulphides employed may consist of sulphide ores or other metalsulphides.

- The present process comprises in combination the operation of reactingupon a sulphide with water at a raised temperature so as to obtain-amixture of hydrogen and I sulphur dioxide, subjecting another portion ofsulphide to roasting with air to produce a mixture "of nitrogen andsulphur dioxide and removing sulphur dioxide from the gas mixtures by.absorption in bases or water. When' the process is carried into eiiectby the use of iron pyrites as a reducing agent the-process may suitablybe carried into effect as follows: I

A. portion of the pyrites is treated in a suitable apparatustemperature, whereby iron oxide anda gas mixture consisting of sulphurdioxide and hydro en is obtained. This gas mixture is freed rom sulphurdioxide by being passed l in contact with water or a base such as limewhereby the sulphur dioxide is absorbed, 'pure hydrogen gas beingobtained.

In another apparatus a portion of iron pyrites is roasted with air, anexcess of air sing avoided as far as possible. In this wlth water at ahigh- Application filed May 13, 1920. Sefial No. 381,188.

manner iron oxide and a gas mixture substantially consistin of sulphurdioxide and nitrogen is obtaine The gas mixture is treated as above, de-

scribed to remove sulphur dioxide therefrom, whereby nitrogen gascontaining'some oxy en is obtained. This gas is' treated with sulphiteas obtained by the above described absorption operationwhereby theoxygen is absorbed, pure nitrogen being obtained.

The nitrogen so produced 1s mixed with hydrogen obtainedas abovedescribed, and the resulting gas mixture may be used in the synthesis ofammonia.

In the described procem sulphur dioxide is obtained as a byproduct andthis sulphur dioxide ma be utilized to produce sulphite or it may eabsorbed in water. From its aqueous solution the sulphur dioxide can'easily be ex elled in a pure condition.

Instead o absorbing the sulphur dioxide obtained by the roastingoperation in lime or water it may be wholly or in part absorbed inammonia to produce ammonium sulphite which is used to remove the oxygencontained in the roaster gases.

The process of producing nitrogen hearing gassuitable for a syntheticreduction of ammonia, comprising in combination the steps of passing airin contact with a metal sulphide at an elevated temperature, removingsulphur dioxide from the resulting gas mixture by reaction with ammoniaso as to obtain ammonium sulphite, and removing oxygen from the sotreated gas by reacting upon the gas with the ammonium sulphite soobtained.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signedmy name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BIRGER FJELD HALVORSEN.

Witnesses:

MARIE BERGQUIST, FRIGOLF 5 i BEN.

